THE HOUSE MAGAZINE OF RANK XEROX MITCHELDEAN
And now we have the RX Forest of Dean Computer Club, adding a new dimension to the range of Sports & Social Club activities. The idea is to provide a social environment in which people (whether familiar with the technology or not) can improve their knowledge of microcomputers and exchange ideas about their design, construction and use. The club’s vice-president Mev Shelley (Manager, Electrical & Electronic Engineering), started the programme running on March 14 with an introductory talk on computers. Later meetings will deal with storing programmes on microcomputer using a cassette player/recorder and displaying them on a home TV set (as shown above), writing programmes, etc.; there will also be exhibitions of members’ own systems, competitions and visits to computer centres. Club secretary is Jose Vega-Lozano who is pictured (left) playing a game of skill on a portable TV via a programmed microcomputer; his opponent is Keith Jones, treasurer. ‘You don’t have to own a microcomputer to belong to the club,’ explains Jos6, ‘but if you’re keen to acquire one, you can build it from a kit or purchase one. The outlay can be well under £50 and the club will help you to obtain hardware at reasonable prices.’ Tony Burke, Engineering Manager, Mitcheldean, has agreed to be president of the club and committee members are: Ray Dance, Alan Ellis, Terry Gardner, Steve Hardcastle and Steve Tolputt. Meetings take place in the club house on the second Wednesday of the month (except August); if you’re interested in joining, contact Jose (Bid 51/2, ext. 709). ^
One of the most rewarding activities at Gloucester Hospital’s Ermin House — a unit for the younger disabled — is the printing of tickets and other small jobs on a hand press. But since the printing operation involves the pulling down of a hand lever, it has meant that those severely disabled, perhaps totally without the use of their limbs, have been denied this particular interest. Fortunately, the head occupational therapist, Mrs Jennifer Murray, has the advantage of an engineering background (she used to work in our Development Laboratory and has an Ordinary National Certificate to her credit). She saw the possibility of automating the press so that it could be operated by a simple pressure switch; what she needed was help from some inventive people with the time, the resources and the keenness to develop the idea. She rang Frank Edwards of Training Department and in due course a class of mechanical engineering students from the West Gloucestershire College of Education, under their course tutor John Morgan, trooped off to hospital to look at the job and investigate the possibilities. Split into groups of three, the students (most of them from Rank Xerox), worked out different designs for automating the press, and they produced process drawings, costings, etc., as a project for their MT6 examination this summer. But design engineer John Bright and production engineer Stephen Jones (both ex-apprentices of ours) wanted to make sure the idea they had come up with actually worked. Apart from this, they knew the hospital wanted the press automated as soon as possible, and they felt the cause was a worthy one. So 2
they obtained permission to stay on after hours to work on the job — sometimes until midnight or later. ‘We made our first prototype model in Meccano,’ they told us, ‘and we were able to use obsolete or unwanted materials in building the subsequent models and the final unit.’ A compact 2ft square, the unit works at the touch of a simple switch ; this can be attached to the operator, who presses it by an arm movement, perhaps, or, if unable to use any limbs at all, by a chin movement. The inventors explained the mechanics to us: ‘The pressure sends
John Bright (far left) and Stephen Jones watch as Ermin House resident Margaret Smith presses the switch to operate the newly motorised hand press. Looking very pleased with the unit (and the instruction book that came with it) is head occupational therapist Jennifer Murray. air down a tube, operating a microswitch which allows current to pass to the electric motor (an old 914 main drive motor pulled back into useful service!). ‘This in turn works a shaft which, via a connecting rod and link, pulls down the lever of the hand press, bringing the paper (put in place by an assistant) in contact with the inked type. Then the lever automatically cycles back to its original position and stops, ready for reloading.’ As you can see from our picture, the unit has now been handed over to Ermin House, and is working the printing press admirably. Although the building of it won’t gain them any more marks in their MT6, the satisfaction in getting it designed, built and operational through their own efforts, plus the occasional bit of help, is ample reward, say our engineers. Family Note: Among those at Mitcheidean who must be particularly interested in the outcome of this venture are Jennifer Murray’s husband Keith in Assembly Production Control, her parents Maurice (now retired from Transport) and Joan Jones (Electrical Sub-assembly), and her uncle Bill Beech of Commodity Operations.
Three Men in a Shoui We have often invited our suppliers to Mitcheldean to see for themselves how our machines are built. Now we are going to the suppliers, to show them just how much importance we attach to their role as ‘partners’ in maintaining our competitiveness in the marketplace. With a presentation package prepared here at Mitcheldean under their arms, a ‘Commodity Team’ of three are travelling the length and breadth of the British Isles, visiting key suppliers of electrical items, and demonstrating how their performance as regards delivery and quality can affect our own business, and our trading relationship with them. The electrical section has been chosen to spearhead the programme because electrical buying is the most complex. In fact, the idea originated with Ken Lewis, Electrical Unit Manager in Commodity Operations. He maintains that many of the reasons given by suppliers for their failures reveal a lack of understanding of how we operate, and so the presentation aims to explain in general terms, and in a friendly, informal way, what we do, why we do it, and how, with the suppliers’ co-operation, we can do it more effectively — to our mutual benefit. Communication Theme The theme of the show is ‘communication’. A short film gives an introductory insight into what Rank Xerox is all about, and there are three main ‘acts’ concerning Commodity Operations, Ouality Assurance and Vendor Technical Support (Mfg Eng.), featuring ‘actors’ Ken, John Weyman and Rob Taylor respectively. First, Ken explains that the Commodity team has been drawn together from the three areas to support the supplier in achieving prompt and reliable deliveries. He sums up the functions of purchasing and planning at Mitcheldean describing how they Commodity team Ken Lewis, Rob Taylor and John Weyman put a great deal of effort into perfecting their ‘show’, and it was not until after several rehearsals and previews for selected audiences had taken place in-house that the show was judged ready to go ‘on tour’. Here the team look at some of the slides which helped to put over punch lines. work to ensure good service — delivery on time, staying competitive, attention to spares/repairs, etc. Senior Ouality Assurance engineer John makes the point that ‘deviations do matter’ and he drums home the need for suppliers not to assume they don’t but to ring up and explain their problems. By letting us know in good time, he says, unnecessary rejections of goods may be avoided and the supplier’s quality rating by Rank Xerox prevented from being tarnished. The role of the VTS engineer is demonstrated by Rob; he has to liaise between the supplier and the Mitcheldean Commodity Operations people concerned on all technical aspects, and to take action to prevent any loss of production of our machines through lack of components for technical reasons. January Premiere Despite the unco-operative weather, the very first presentation was made in January to the GEC plant at Doncaster, Yorks., our largest motor supplier in the UK. The audience, assembled in the canteen, consisted of sales reps, shop floor workers and middle management. True to its communication theme, the presentation allowed time for questions and answers. ‘The audience brought up some good points and in some cases these were helpful in improving our presentation,’ Ken told us. Long-term Exercise As we went to press visits to further suppliers were being arranged. The whole programme of presentations will be spread over two years. ‘It’s a long-term exercise,’ says Ken, ‘and we don’t expect miracles — at least, not straight away!’ Later on, other sections of Commodity Operations will also get a show on the road, tailoring it to suit their particular requirements.
Cartoons drawn by Eric Weeks of Engineering Draughting have added a nice touch of humour to the presentation. The caption to this one is: ‘Don’t deviate from the specification unless you want a minor CA Tastrophe 1’
So that the team could take a critical look at their own performance a run-through was recorded on video by Don Jefferies; with him here is Jane Belcher, one of those in Training who advised the team on techniques.
Three Men in a Show We have often invited our suppliers to Mitcheldean to see for themselves how our machines are built. Now we are going to the suppliers, to show them just how much importance we attach to their role as ‘partners’ in maintaining our competitiveness in the marketplace. With a presentation package prepared here at Mitcheldean under their arms, a ‘Commodity Team’ of three are travelling the length and breadth of the British Isles, visiting key suppliers of electrical items, and demonstrating how their performance as regards delivery and quality can affect our own business, and our trading relationship with them. The electrical section has been chosen to spearhead the programme because electrical buying is the most complex. In fact, the idea originated with Ken Lewis, Electrical Unit Manager in Commodity Operations. He maintains that many of the reasons given by suppliers for their failures reveal a lack of understanding of how we operate, and so the presentation aims to explain in general terms, and in a friendly, informal way, what we do, why we do it, and how, with the suppliers’ co-operation, we can do it more effectively — to our mutual benefit. Communication Theme The theme of the show is ‘communication’. A short film gives an introductory insight into what Rank Xerox is all about, and there are three main ‘acts’ concerning Commodity Operations, Ouality Assurance and Vendor Technical Support (Mfg Eng.), featuring ‘actors’ Ken, John Weyman and Rob Taylor respectively. First, Ken explains that the Commodity team has been drawn together from the three areas to support the supplier in achieving prompt and reliable deliveries. He sums up the functions of purchasing and planning at Mitcheldean describing how they Commodity team Ken Lewis, Rob Taylor and John Weyman put a great deal of effort into perfecting their ‘show’, and it was not until after several rehearsals and previews for selected audiences had taken place in-house that the show was judged ready to go ‘on tour’. Here the team look at some of the slides which helped to put over punch lines. work to ensure good service — delivery on time, staying competitive, attention to spares/repairs, etc. Senior Quality Assurance engineer John makes the point that ‘deviations do matter’ and he drums home the need for suppliers not to assume they don’t but to ring up and explain their problems. By letting us know in good time, he says, unnecessary rejections of goods may be avoided and the supplier’s quality rating by Rank Xerox prevented from being tarnished. The role of the VTS engineer is demonstrated by Rob; he has to liaise between the supplier and the Mitcheldean Commodity Operations people concerned on all technical aspects, and to take action to prevent any loss of production of our machines through lack of components for technical reasons. January Premiere Despite the unco-operative weather, the very first presentation was made in January to the GEC plant at Doncaster, Yorks., our largest motor supplier in the UK. The audience, assembled in the canteen, consisted of sales reps, shop floor workers and middle management. True to its communication theme, the presentation allowed time for questions and answers. ‘The audience brought up some good points and in some cases these were helpful in improving our presentation. Ken told us. Long-term Exercise As we went to press visits to further suppliers were being arranged. The whole programme of presentations will be spread over two years. ‘It’s a long-term exercise,’ says Ken, ‘and we don’t expect miracles — at least, not straight away I’ Later on, other sections of Commodity Operations will also get a show on the road, tailoring it to suit their particular requirements.
Cartoons drawn by Eric Weeks of Engineering Draughting have added a nice touch of humour to the presentation. The caption to this one is: ‘Don’t deviate from the specihcation unless you want a minor CA Tastrophe I’
So that the team could take a critical look at their own performance a run-through was recorded on video by Don Jefferies; with him here is Jane Belcher, one of those in Training who advised the team on techniques.
Secretaries attending the first of three sessions on security, specially arranged for them, concentrate on ways to protect Company information.
IN
Norman Jones, a senior security co-ordinator in Engineering, has coined this security-selling slogan : ‘No one is ever going to say work cannot be brought into this area because of our inefficiency as regards security’. That makes a pretty good slogan for the whole site, in fact, and it sums up the determination behind our security intensification programme. This got off to a good start recently with two 2-hour training sessions for our 27 senior security co-ordinators who have been appointed by their managers to be responsible for the security of specific areas throughout the site. The case for a Xerox security programme is put in the Corporate Security Handbook, part of the ‘package’ which Guy Bedford, Security Operations Manager, introduced at these sessions. It explains how we are going about protecting existing and potentially vulnerable areas (information, personnel and property) and sets out what is required of the security co-ordinator — all in colour-keyed sections for ready reference. Also included in the package is a Security Co-ordinator Guide designed to assist in the understanding of Xerox information protection measures, and a Selfinstructional Study Programme which can be used as a teaching aid for all staff concerned. Since the programme requires ‘tops-down commitment’. Manufacturing Operations Committee and senior management were the first to be acquainted with the contents of the package. Then, in addition to the 27 co-ordinators, a further 62 people (full-time Security staff and receptionists) have received a mini-presentation.
Special training courses are also being held for our secretaries (see picture) who play a significant part in protecting our information, since they handle so much of the Company’s paperwork and are responsible for classifying, storing, copying, mailing and destroying it.
This is the symbol which you will see, usually in blacl< and white, on everything that represents corporate security. Each of the sections represents an area of security involved in the everyday comings and goings of employees.
To assist them in their task, the 27 senior security co-ordinators have brought additional security co-ordinators into the network, operating on the same lines as the safety sub-committees. Norman Jones, for example, has Eileen Buffin (Print Room) and Dave Weyman (Engineering Records) to help him in his area of Engineering where the protection of sensitive information is a major concern. ‘As resident experts, we have to be security conscious on a day-to-day basis’, he says. ‘We carry out regular audits and remind people of security requirements as regards “clean desk” policy, classification of information, safe disposal of classified waste, visitor control, etc’
Again, Tommy Knight of Receiving Inspection has the co-operation of Frank Tonge, Graham Adams and Andrew Bentley-Taylor, with their particular knowledge of Transport, Supplier Ouality Assurance and Goods Receiving areas, to help in establishing sound security practices in Bid 32. Their chief concern is the protection of goods, and they are concentrating on cutting down exits and generally tightening up on physical security. ‘We get together and pool ideas’, says Tommy. The message, its emphasis varying in different areas according to the type of work carried out, is being passed ‘down the line’ so that every individual is alerted to the need to protect our property, whatever form it takes.
Access Control Further measures concerning identity and access control have also been taken in the last couple of months. People working in business areas now have ‘spot’ colour codes relating to their particular area alongside the photograph on their identity badges. Those working in the operational areas of Transport, Maintenance and Stores, who need to gain access to all parts of the site, can be identified by the symbols shown in black and yellow on the reverse side of their badges — a wheel, a spanner and triangle respectively. They are asked to wear their badges reverse side up so that they can be readily recognised at a distance. In addition. Business Planning in Bid 44 has now joined the list of areas to which access is restricted; as in the Computer Centre, anyone wishing to enter must first apply to either of the receptionists posted at the entrances.
4
A Degree of Interest
Ted Butcher of Manufacturing & Supply Information Systems has just become the third Mitcheldean employee to gain a Bachelor of Arts degree through the Open University. He joined us in the summer of 1976, when he was already halfway through his six-year course. His career has been chiefly in the computer field and his work today is concerned with planning Group Manufacturing computer systems — all of which bears no relation to the subjects he studied (they included biology, geology and the rather unusual one of oceanography). ‘I did it primarily for interest,’ he told us, and the Company’s financial award of £50 came as a complete surprise. Married and with two teenage sons, he lives in Hereford, and is secretary of the Hereford Kayak Club, whose members canoe on the Wye and other local rivers. Another of his wide-ranging interests is attending silversmith evening classes, and he has already made his wife some items of jewellery. Ted is thinking of taking an honours degree course in geology next year through the Open University. And where better to do some rewarding field work than in the Forest of Dean ?
Ted Butcher receives the Company’s financial award of £50 from John Richards, Manager Information Systems, EM B SD, from Belmont House, and the congratulations of colleagues at Mitcheldean. Eric becomes a Euro-candidate
Election fever looks like being rampant this spring, what with the general and local government elections. And Eric Forth, Audit Manager in SPAD (Systems Performance and Assurance Division), hopes that we can keep our voting enthusiasm red-hot until the European elections in early June. ‘It is a very important event and it will have quite an impact on our lives,’ says Eric, who was recently chosen as prospective Conservative Euro-candidate for Birmingham North constituency — an area of half a million people. Oddly enough, while we in the UK will vote on Thursday, June 7, the rest of the European community will vote on the following Sunday, and our ballot boxes will remain sealed for a few days so that all the results can be assessed at the same time.
Eric Forth
The European Parliament will consist ‘ of 410 members from nine countries,^^ 81 of them from the UK, and ‘the ^ voting could go any way — there is \ no precedent to go on,’ he points out. Eric, who holds an honours degree in politics and economics, has made politics his main hobby (he is currently a ward committee member in Ross-on-Wye where he lives with his wife and two young daughters), and he has also been active in local government. Before joining us, he worked for several other multinational companies, and he says he is keen to see the creation of a better environment in Europe in which industry can prosper.
Site-seeing Students Mike Short and Gordon Smith (of Mfg Engineering), Dennis Ede and Dave Adams (of Electrical Sub-assembly), were taken on a tour of the site on March 27, given a presentation and entertained to lunch. How come ? They were among a visiting group of first-year students taking an Institution of Works Managers course at the Gloucester City College of Technology, and despite being on familiar territory they found the tour ‘an eye-opener’. Here the group watch Tony Nelmes in the Standards Room measuring a plug gauge to British Standards. Vic Parry {far left), who was originally responsible for setting up this facility in his ‘Quality’ days at Mitcheldean, acted as their guide with the assistance of John Marston of Field Engineering. 5
m
There were tote tins and transformers, cases and castings all stacked in Lecture Room 4. Pretty heavy, some of them, but all capable of being moved ‘by thought’ — that’s what Eric (call me Yuri) Tose told us. Expecting a sort of poltergeist party and hoping for an issue of hard hats, we went along to what promised to be a rather unsafe Safety training session. It didn’t happen quite like that, though. The safety representatives actually did the lifting and carrying, but only after studying the correct method first. Though we are getting better equipped all the time with mechanical aids for lifting at work, there are always times when materials have to be manually handled — lifting tote tins, pallets, etc., moving a heavy dolly (industrial type I) along a conveyor. Potentially dangerous lifting situations abound too at home: moving that bag of cement, reaching for things stacked at too high a level, bending down to pick up a child.
Little, unrecorded accidents occur. Then ‘It’s just a twinge,’ we say afterwards, hoping it will go away. But what started as backache may well develop into something serious. Statistics are easily forgotten, but it’s worth remembering that 25 per cent of all industrial injuries occur because of bad handling techniques, with all that these bring in their train — sick leave, loss of pay, even deformity. Here at Mitcheldean not just a quarter but a third of the accidents reported last year were attributed to handling. (Incidentally, two of those attending the safety session were suffering from bad backs I) The answer to the problem lies in ‘kinetics;’ thinking before you move, working out the correct way to do things, is well worth while, for in 99 lifts out of 100, it is claimed, it will help to prevent an injury. That was the message put over to the safety representatives who, after mental preparation, put into practice the six ‘laws of lifting’ reproduced on the opposite page. There were other helpful hints handed out. continued on p. 7
Above: Don’t be an exhibitionist — get help from someone of similar height if the load is too big for one person, and lift, carry and lower in unison. Below left: Ooops! That’s what happens when the contents of a tote tin are not evenly distributed. Below right: Before you lift a weight off a bench, get close to it and make sure you have a good grasp.
How quiet is quiet? How noisy is noisy ? Perhaps the definition ‘noise is unwanted sound’ sums it up. We have always lived, worked, slept and played surrounded by noise. Each of us reacts differently; we vary in our response, susceptibility and adaptability. Our emotions differ; we often react to a noise more by the information it conveys than by its intensity. Who hasn’t been exasperated by a persistently dripping tap — particularly at night ? Yet its noise intensity is very small indeed compared with the sound power generated by rock concerts or discos which pop enthusiasts accept as pleasurable. It is a sobering thought that maximum levels of industrial noise exposure are at present 90dB (decibels) over eight hours; compare this with the average rock band level of over 110dB, or a heavy diesel lorry generating over 90dB at 25 ft distance. Normal human hearing is sensitive to sound frequencies between 20Hz (cycles per second) and 15,000Hz; with acute hearing it can be as high as 20,000Hz. We have a young lady in the computer complex who has no problem in discriminating 16,000 — 18,000Hz. With high frequencies like these, a person’s ability to hear is affected by their age, health and history of previous excess exposure to noise.
Acoustics engineer Stan Pulford ctieclSo perhaps the ‘black art’ tag so often attached to acoustics is justified when we consider that with noise problems we must take into account the human factor as well as the precise, complex physics of sound. How We Control It Noise pollution has now become a major industrial and social problem, and its effect on health, emotions, working efficiency, communication, and industrial accidents is well documented.
TAKE THE LOAD OUT OF LIFTING contd.
If a load is too big, don’t try to tackle it alone, get help from someone of similar height and physique, and arrange for one of you to be the caller so that you can work in unison. Protect your hands from splinters, nails, jagged edges, by wearing gloves. Safety boots will ensure you don’t crush your toes if the load should fall. Wear protective clothing for carrying corrosive chemical containers, hot materials, etc. Look out for greasy floor surfaces, obstructions in the lifting area. Having absorbed these principles themselves, our safety reps have been asked to watch us as we lift and carry, tell us if we’re doing it wrongly, and show us the safe way that they have learned.
If your work involves lifting, or if you’d just like to read more about the subject, ask your area safety rep for a copy of the booklet Lifting and Carrying — Tlie rights and wrongs. It could save you a twinge at the very least.
SIX LAWS OF LIFTING
• Feet — moderately wide apart, walk with your hips, best foot forward.
• Knees — bent, not squat.
• Back — keep it straight (not vertical).
• Arms — keep close to the body.
• Hands — firm grip, not just tips of fingers.
• Head — keep it up, chin in.
THINK!
It is slowly being brought under control by statutory acts, common law precedents and the more recent Health & Safety at Work Act and Code of Practice. There are now established limits of exposure to industrial noise, not only internally within the factory but also as regards the external effect on the surrounding neighbourhood. Here at Mitcheldean we have developed over the past five years a programme of hearing conservation. This involves monitoring noisy processes; identifying the ‘character’ as well as the volume of noise, developing devices to reduce noise, and ensuring that new machines and processes are not only accurately noise-rated but also positioned in the factory to ensure minimum noise build-up in the surrounding area. To ensure that individual exposure to noise levels keeps within the 90dB Code of Practice limit, we make regular checks by means of a pocket dose-meter which is worn for a day. This records and stores noise levels to which the wearer is exposed and the data is then processed through a microprocessor.
Noise Signatures An interesting aspect of applied acoustics now being developed here is the preventive maintenance of machine tools and utilities such as generators, compressors, etc. Regular acoustic comparisons are made with the equipment’s original noise ‘signature’, and potential faults can be detected before serious breakdowns occur — an important factor in the case of high-investment equipment which we cannot afford to have out of action. Clearly we are in a rapidly changing situation; recent improved methods of measuring sound using computer and microprocessor techniques have helped in the understanding of acoustics but there are still gaps in our existing knowledge. Meanwhile, some notorious areas of noise pollution are under scrutiny. Beware, bird scarers (electronic, not human !), ice cream vendors (chimes), organ grinders, motorbike scramblers, Concorde protagonists and (dare we say it?) disco fans — you are being watched and heard ! Stan Pulford
Industrial noise made an early impact on Stan — he became deaf in one ear while apprenticed as a tool and instrument maker. During his career in production engineering he travelled to the USA, South Africa, West Germany and Roumania. His musical family background later led him to the study of the physics of musical sound, and to a new career in acoustics. 7
This issue Nicl( Swan of Engineering introduces the FIRST OF THE SUMMER WINES
The country wine-makers’ season will soon be upon us and my article this time is about flower and petal wines. Many types of dried flowers can be purchased from wine shops, but it is far better to use freshly picked ones. Dandelion, elderflower, hawthorn (May), roses — these are just a few of the more common ones used. Flower wines are a great favourite, but many leave a lot to be desired, particularly regarding bouquet. The old method of soaking the petals in boiling water tends to destroy the scent and subtle flavours. A more modern method is to soak the petals in alcohol to extract without destroying the scents and flavours. First we have to make the alcohol. What we do is to prepare a base wine of little flavour and character — this can be done using a white grape concentrate or a basic recipe using sultanas and bananas. After two or three days, when the first violent fermentation has died down, there should be sufficient alcohol in the must. Now add your chosen petals which have been washed well. Petals are best placed in a weighted muslin bag (use sterilised glass marbles). This process should be carried out in a tightly covered white plastic bucket, enabling you to stir the must to extract the flavours. Do this daily and remove petals after about four days, then place wine into a demijohn and ferment as usual.
This method tends to give a high degree of bouquet so it is best to use small amounts of petals, especially in the case of elderflowers, dandelions, orange blossom and others of strong perfume.
Feline Flowers Just a quick word about elderflower wine — one of my favourite flower ones. It is well known that some elderflower wines have a very ‘catty’ type bouquet and flavour, most offputting I There are about nine different species of elder in this country, all with different flavours and perfumes — some very strong, some with no smell at all, and the catty-smelling ones. It is best to find an area with plenty of elder bushes and go from bush to bush smelling the florets till you find one that has delicately perfumed florets; even then you must smell
What a Week it wiii be! Circus clowns, an ‘exploding’ fire engine, and a Fire Service bed race are some of the attractions being laid on for safety representatives and first-aiders, plus their families, at a ‘Mini Open Day’ on Saturday, May 19. Apart from static displays, the programme will also include fire demonstrations with ‘casualties’ being dealt with by a first-aid ‘field station’. This event will mark the end of Mitcheldean’s very first Safety Week from May 14 to 18 inclusive, during which safety displays will be held in Manufacturing, Assembly, Stores and Business areas. Other happenings will include the first annual meeting of first-aiders with possibly a first-aid competition. Results of the Safety Poster Competition will also be made known during the week. There will be a total of £250 in prize money for the top three designs in each of the four areas mentioned above and for the overall top three designs, making 15 prizes altogether. We’ll be covering these events in our next issue.
each floret before you pick it as there can be good ones and bad ones on the same bush, so be warned I Now let us look at the basic ingredients. Flowers— Dandelion petals (no green), marigold, meadowsweet: 2 quarts each. Elderflowers or orange blossom : ^—1 pint. Hawthorn (no green) : 3 pints. Gorse flowers: 1 gallon. Rose petals: 2—3 quarts. Other Ingredients— 1 can grape concentrate white sugar as directed, pectic enzyme, yeast nutrient and water to 1 gallon. Method— Make up concentrate as directed, adding all of sugar indicated at start. After violent fermentation has quietened, add petals and pectic enzymes. Ferment for further three to four days in bucket, then strain into demijohn and proceed as usual. Alternatively, here is my own recipe: Other ingredients — 21b sugar (white). Jib minced sultanas, peeled black skinned bananas, 1 teaspoon citric acid, \n grape tannin (or cup of cold tea), pectic enzyme, yeast and yeast nutrient, water to 1 gallon. Method— Place the peeled bananas in 2—3 pints of boiling water and simmer for 20 minutes. Finely strain the hot juice on to the sultanas and sugar and allow to cool to 70°F, add the yeast, nutrient, tannin and citric acid. Proceed now as in method for first recipe.
Wine for Diabetics Among the calls which I have received has been one from a gentleman enquiring about making wines for diabetics. I have had a quick look through my piles of magazines and books and have found a very good article on the subject. If anyone would like further information, please give me a ring on ext. 1320 or Gloucester 419897. Cheers!
IVIilMembers of his department gave their own private farewell dinner on March 3 for Bernard Smith, who retired last Christmas. Graham BIythe (seated left) now Manager, Group Purchasing, presented the department’s gift of an executive case, and a scrapbook of highlights of his time at Mitcheldean prefaced by a message from Fred Wickstead. Other gifts included a book on photography (to go with the Pentax camera given him by Company colleagues on an earlier occasion), and a bottle of sherry from friends at Coslada (Madrid) which was greatly appreciated on the spot I Bernard took home with him roses and chocolates for his wife Gwen — and memories of a very happy evening.
LETTER We are delighted to say that our chairman Mai Thomas has promised to present the 25-year awards at the annual dinner on May 4, and that he will be accompanied by Mrs Thomas. The organising of this dinner and presentation is one of the major tasks of the LSA secretary. Newly appointed to the post, Dennis Barnard certainly has his hands full —there are exactly 25 people due to line up for the awards when the 1979 event takes place. Their names, in alphabetical order, are: Jim Allum (Tool Control), Bill Austin (Mfg Eng.), Arthur Bevan (Consumable Stores), Clive Brookes (Assembly), Charlie Brown (Work Study), Harold Cecil (Mfg Eng.), George Douglas (Finishing), Joan Findlay (Goods Inwards Receiving), Bob Gladwin (Production Stores), Hubert Hancocks (Works Laboratory), Jack Herbert (Machine Shop), Brian Lewis (Mfg Eng.), John Linley (Model Shop), Reg Malsom (Finance), Bill Marshall (Machine Shop Tool Stores), Gunter Matthes (Assembly), Janet Morgan (Elec. Sub-assembly), Don Parkinson (Mfg Eng.), Maurice Pask (Commodity Operations), Pauline Price (Elec. Sub-assembly), Lilian Roberts (Finishing), John Shields (Assembly), John Smith (Component Mfg), Ralph Taylor (Tool Room), John Wood (Machine Shop).
EYESBNUPETY Total number of accidents for period: Jan/Feb ’78 Jan/Feb ’79
The good news is that, following upon our winning of a Gold Hand Award, we have qualified for a National Industrial Safety Award 1978 to be presented by the British Safety Council this May. The not-so-good news ? We’ve not been doing too well recently as you can see from the figures above, the gap being largely accounted for by falls during the winterthat-wouldn’t-go-away. The cumulative total from the start of the Company year in November last is now 74, compared with 44 for the same period the previous year, so a great effort is necessary on everyone’s part.
Ossie Carpenter Well-known in the village of Longhope and to many at Mitcheldean, Osmond Carpenter died on February 8 at the ripe old age of 85. Ossie, as he was known, joined us in 1946 as a labourer to work in the Model Shop (then called Experimental) under Ray Camp. Frank Edwards, then one of the team, recalls that at knocking off time.
mornings and afternoons, Ossie used to bring a bucket of hot water and soap into the shop for everyone to have a wash, the washrooms being few and far between in those days. In later years at Mitcheldean he undertook more general duties as handyman/gardener, and he retired in 1964 after having completed 18 years’ service. We would like to convey our sympathy to members of his family.
BtfllBlH I”” ©ffll”” Illi|l5
‘We’ve done a hell of a lot in this area,’ says Steve Ferriman, former chairman of sub-committee 10 (Supply Centre). ‘Our attention has mainly centred on the warehouse and one of our biggest headaches is getting people to heed the instructions on where not to go in the building, and to realise that these are put up for their protection.’ Steve, seen below (far left) with safety reps Frank Beard, Malcolm Wootton and John Meacham, is taking early retirement this April and has handed over chairmanship to Geoff Gray, Warehouse Operations Manager, pictured left with another committee member, Alice McClearie.
9
Motor Club Revs High
The Motor Club got into gear and let the clutch out on the 1979 season by holding a Valentine Disco at the club house on February 16 with the Sounds Electric Roadshow. Rob Lewis in fine fettle, the raffle and spot prizes all made it a night to remember (thanks, Rob). As we went to press everyone was hoping the next disco would be equally as good (April 20 with Midnight Magic). February 24 gave two coachloads of members and their guests a day in London to view the National Custom Car Show — another trip to the capital will be arranged soon.
February 25 had residents in Mitcheldean, May Hill and Wigpool thinking Guy Fawkes had been resurrected when we held our first Rocket Hunt. Having a clear sky made the evening a success, although some entrants, namely Adrian Richards and driver Ray Woodings, confess to seeing only one rocket. It must have been due to bad eyesight or a dirty windscreen because the winners saw most rockets and found every launch site, including the answer to the clue on the last stage. The results were : 1 st — Geoff Hayward and Shirley Smith; 2nd — Terry Holder and Robin Duce; 3rd — Steve McCormick and Sandra Scrivens. Even the excitement at winning was surpassed by that of John Short and Alan Haines (ably supervised by John’s young son Richard) who launched the rockets I
Treasure Hunting March 11 saw the first Treasure Hunt of the year, with 12 cars scouring the local countryside for answers to clues. Knowing the locality well is not always advantageous, as Des Halliday found out when he took what he thought was the “right” turning; but at least he eventually managed to arrive at the finish and let us know he and his family were safe, which is more than the driver of DBW 477K did (are you still out there, Ron Arkell ?). After much wrangling as to whether or not a spade is a shovel, two recounts, and a mileage check due to the closeness of the points scored, the final results were: 1 st — Derek and Sandra Wicks; 2nd — Ray Woodings and Adrian Richards; 3rd — Sandra Scrivens and Steve McCormick. As you can see from 10
CALLING ALL POETS !
Do you like to tell a story or give rein to your thoughts and feelings in poetic form ? If so, here’s a chance to win a prize of £10, £5 or £2 (for first, second and third place) in a poetry competition open to all Sports ft Social Club members. Choose any subject and style you like, but limit your poem to approximately 20 lines. The entry fee is 10p per poem and the maximum number of entries is three per person. For entry forms or further information contact Les Yemm (Bid 23/1, ext. 959) or John Johnson (Bid 51/2, ext. 710 or 580), and let them have your entries not later than August 10 next. (Writers of rude limericks will be disqualified!)
the second placing, Ray and Adrian had obviously cleaned their windscreen since the Rocket Hunt!). Many thanks go to Pete Fisher, the club’s public relations officer, for arranging such a good first Treasure Hunt for 1979.
Lotus Trip
On March 13, 12 of us set off on a trip to the Lotus works near Norwich. On arrival we were greeted by the sight of an Esprit S2 just roaring onto the 2-4 mile test track at the start of its three-lap “shake-down” at 3,000rpm, to which all Lotus cars are subject on completion of build. Various envious comments were heard to echo round the minibus, including ‘I want one’ from Mark Parry who had kept us all entertained with non-stop repartee (it’s in the dictionary, Mark) throughout the whole trip. We toured the works, most of our time being spent in the main assembly department where Esprit,
Eclat and Elite are assembled to individual customer requirements. We finished in the engine department where the 2-litre twin OHC engine, used in all three models, is assembled. Here we watched manufacture of the cylinder heads (know of any other manufacturer where the valve seats are still ground in by hand ?). The whole party were held in awe by the sight of several gleaming cars drawn up in the yard ready for despatch and we were all left wishing for something which Lotus do not supply — a test drive. Note for intending purchasers: the cheapest model, the Lotus Eclat, starts at £10,621 for the basic model; and you can expect three months of sleepless nights before taking delivery.
Membership Rising As a matter of interest to nonmembers, the Motor Club now has a membership of 360-1- (which must be second only to that of the RX Sports El- Social Club) and offers discount facilities ranging from 10 to 50 per cent from 19 traders in the locality. Why not join ? The membership fee is only £1 —just contact Pete Fisher on ext. 371 for an application form. Spotlight
April AGM The annual general meeting of the Sports & Social Club was due to take place on April 11, just after we went to press; a report will appear in our next issue.
Two interesting prints — tlie one on tfie left shows victory celebrations for the Relief of Mafeking in 1900; the couple on the right are the late Mrs Course and her husband.
Photograptlic Club member Bill Hobbs has proof that . . .
As village chemist, the late Mrs Course not only made up many a prescription for Mitcheldean people — she also handled their photographic requirements. Knowing of my interest in the subject, she asked me, on her retirement several years ago, whether I would be interested in some antiquated photographic equipment which she would otherwise be throwing away. I gratefully accepted, although I was unable to identify most of the items or, at least, was unaware of their uses. However, among them were two boxes of glass negatives (J-plate
and 5-plate) and I remember being • most impressed by the clarity and detail considering their age and the types of cameras used in those days. At the time, I decided to store the box of equipment in the attic of my bungalow, intending to get it out later to clean, restore and hopefully identify most of the objects. All this was far from my mind until colleague and fellow Photographic Club member Bill Austin happened to mention that he had bought an excellent enlarger capable of enlarging up to and including a-plate, and he was obviously very keen to try it out with some good negatives.
That was when the bells started to ring and my thoughts flew to the ^-plate negatives in the attic. I passed on to Bill four of these which he printed the same evening, and the following morning he proudly showed me four super 10×8 prints, including the historic one depicting the ‘Relief of Mafeking’ celebrations reproduced here. Bill has since seen all the negatives and we have decided to print all that may be of interest; we hope that, at some future date, we shall be able to exhibit them under the auspices of the RX Amateur Photographic Club.
Bridge Champions On February 28 the Bridge Club held its annual individual championship, with Richard Walker defending his title against 15 other players, including Ron Carter and Brian Charmley who were joint second last year. At the halfway mark, Brian was in the lead with Richard and Mike Ward one point behind. In the second half Brian pulled away to win by 7 points from Pete Bonney who had a good second half with Richard and Ron Watkins sharing third place. The pairs championship was fought out on March 8, the result being a runaway win for David Payne and Nigel Allsopp with Mick Churchward and John Johnson in second place, and the defending champions Wilf Jones and Keith Holbrook third. The top four pairs of the league team members, automatically selected to represent Rank Xerox in the invitation team event on April 10 (announced in our last issue), were:
Wilf Jones and Keith Holbrook, Mick Churchward and John Johnson, Don Parkinson and Don Meek, and Richard Walker and Mike Ward. As we went to press some 80 bridge players were expected in the club house on that competition night, and we’ll be covering the event in our next issue.
Tennis Plans A well-attended annual general meeting of the Tennis Section held on March 29 concerned itself with plans for the forthcoming season with its programme of competitions. The idea is to work to a ‘gala day’ this summer when the final matches and presentation of awards can all take place. Hubert Evans continues as chairman with Tania Symonds as secretary, and Mike Keen as treasurer; committee members are Helen Richards, Robin Berks, Peter James and Ray Spencer.
Photographic Awards The full report on President’s Night (March 30) will have to wait until next time, but we can report that this year’s ‘Clubman’ award went to Bob Dixon as overall champion. Joint firsts in the colour competition were Bill Hobbs and Mike Wilkinson, while Mike Dewey came first in the black and white section with Bob Dixon as runner-up.
ANY NEWS FOR VISION?
If you have, then please — mail it to me c/o Public Relations, Bid 23/1, or leave it at any Gate House for collection by me, or post it to me at Tree Tops, Plump Hill, Mitcheldean, or ring me — ext. 566 or Drybrook 542415. Myrtle Fowler, Editor
11
Births Karl, a son for John Wood (RX Cinderford) and his wife Penny, on January 10.
Ashleigh Edward Marshall, a son for Barrie Wilks (9200/9400 Assembly) and his wife Janet, on March 5.
Ian Arron, a son for Roger Niblett (Small Batch) and his wife Jenny (formerly Supply Centre) on March 14.
Lorna Jane, a daughter for Geoff Wood (RX Cinderford) and his wife Pam (formerly Personnel) on March 16.
Brian and Nicola Stephens Geoffrey and Hilary Watkins
Congratulations also to Dennis Minton (Security) and his wife Gwynneth who celebrated their anniversary on March 27.
Retirements Best wishes to the following who retire(d) in March/April: Bill Maxfield (Assembly) after five and a half years’ service; Fred Hendy, Security officer for 13i years; from the Mail Room—Reg Caldicutt (nearly 15 years) and George Hyett (five years); Stan Boseley (Supply Centre) with seven and a half years’ service; and Steve Ferriman (Supply Centre) with 21 years’ service.
Weddings Nicola Durrant (Production Control) to Brian Stephens (QA) at Lydney Register Office on January 6. Receptionist Hilary Johnson to Geoffrey Watkins (Assembly PCD) at the Lea Parish Church on January 27.
Silver Weddings Congratulations to Arthur Brain (RX Cinderford) and his wife Marion (formerly Assembly) who celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary on March 20.
Two people in Supply Centre came to the end of their service at Mitcheldean recently. Below left: Phyllis Jones was a member of the Canteen staff for 13 years before she Joined the Company, working first in Assembly, then in the Engineering Print Room, and later transferring to Supply. Leaving presents from her colleagues included a silver bracelet watch and a Teasmade, presented by Roger Peperell, Manager Supply Centre Services, and a splendid cake was made to mark the occasion by fellow worker Jane Bishop. Below right: Joe Barnard’s seven years with us have been spent entirely in the Warehouse where he worked in Spares Packing. Manager Geoff Gray, Warehouse Operations Manager, is seen here presenting Joe — a keen do-it-yourselfer — with a Black Et Decker drill which came with the good wishes of his workmates.
Obituary We are sorry to report the following deaths: Tommy Cage (shop marshaller. Small Batch) on January 20 aged 57, after nearly five years’ service; Billy Burgwyn (cost clerk) on January 27 at the age of 61 — he had been with us 12 years when he took early retirement in 1975; Lena Adams, who used to work in Engineering Print Room, on February 17 at the age of 49 — she was with us for over 12 years and was a shop steward for APEX; Horace Neal (Press Shop foreman, RX Cinderford) on March 18 aged 57, after eight years’ service. We would like to express our sympathy with the families of all.
Service Awards ‘I could build a 605 8mm camera from memory even now,’ said Darell Timms, recalling the time 30 years ago when he joined Bell & Howell production in the Maltings. After 12 years on assembly work, he switched to Quality Control and has remained a ‘Quality’ man ever since. Today he is in Product Audit, part of Mfg & Quality Technical Staff, and his job takes him in turn to various assembly and spares packing areas at Mitcheldean. But he’s accustomed to being on the move, having carried out various international audit assignments, and he has worked at RX locations in Coslada (Madrid), Lille and DiJsseldorf. Darell’s is a real Rank Xerox family. His wife June was once engaged in Quality work too — as an inspector in the Machine
Darell Timms
Shop; she has also worked in the Canteen and is currently in Cleaning Services. They celebrated their silver wedding in 1977. Both their children work at Mitcheldean —• daughter Sue as a secretary in Piece Part Recovery, son Graham in Electrical Subassembly. Keen on both soccer and rugby, Darell has in his time played soccer for various local clubs (Ruspidge, Cinderford Town,
Mitcheldean and Monmouth Town). Today he is an ardent Aston Villa fan, leaving it to Graham (a member of Drybrook rugger team) to do the ‘field work’.
Awards for 20 and 25 years’ service go to the following : 25 Years February— Hubert Hancocks (Works Laboratory), Bill Marshall (Machine Shop Tool Stores), Janet Morgan (Elec. Sub-assembly),Lilian Roberts (Finishing). March — Joan Findlay (Goods Inwards Receiving), Gunter Matthes (Assembly), Pauline Price (Electrical Sub-assembly), Ralph Taylor (Tool Room). 20 Years February— Frank Beard (Supply Centre), Ivor Jordan (Finishing), Phyllis Lewis (Supply Centre), Daphne Meek (Training), Dave Newman (Commodity Operations). March — Allan Bird (Assembly), Doris Boseley (Cleaning Services), Dennis WHliams (Materials Transport).
12 Printed in England by Taylor, Young (Printers) Ltd.
